during the months preceding the convention to coordinate
contingency plans. As a precautionary measure, On
August 24, 1968, a force of Federal troops was prcp«i.
tionecl in the Chicago area. When local and State polfe
were able to handle the situation, the task force was re-
deployed to home station on August 30.
contingency plans. As a precautionary measure, On
August 24, 1968, a force of Federal troops was prcp«i.
tionecl in the Chicago area. When local and State polfe
were able to handle the situation, the task force was re-
deployed to home station on August 30.
FY 1970 disorders. Though FY 1970 showed a decrease
in the threat of large-scale racial disorders, there were
serious incidents of antiwar and studcnt-relfUcd activi-
ties which involved the clanger of violent disorders beyond
in the threat of large-scale racial disorders, there were
serious incidents of antiwar and studcnt-relfUcd activi-
ties which involved the clanger of violent disorders beyond
munications equipment, search lights, public address
equipment, protective masks, disperses for riot control
agents, and riot control chemical munitions at selected
depots.
equipment, protective masks, disperses for riot control
agents, and riot control chemical munitions at selected
depots.
The task group was dissolved on January 22, 1968,
upon the establishment of the Department of the Army
Civil Disturbance Committee, the membership of which
was much the same as that of the task group. The com-
mittee thereupon undertook to supervise the completion
of the actions initiated by this task group and to serve as
the Department of the Army planning group when an
actual civil disturbance was either anticipated or in prog-
ress. Initial action was devoted to the publication, on
February 1, 1968, of the Department of the Army Civil
Disturbance Plan, GARDEN PLOT.
upon the establishment of the Department of the Army
Civil Disturbance Committee, the membership of which
was much the same as that of the task group. The com-
mittee thereupon undertook to supervise the completion
of the actions initiated by this task group and to serve as
the Department of the Army planning group when an
actual civil disturbance was either anticipated or in prog-
ress. Initial action was devoted to the publication, on
February 1, 1968, of the Department of the Army Civil
Disturbance Plan, GARDEN PLOT.
As the Army's planning for civil disturbances became
more sophisticated, so did the Army's staff organization
for conducting civil disturbance operations from its Wash-
ington Headquarters. Within the span of a few years, the
Army moved from a special ad hoc group responding to
each incident, to a completely established directorate
devoted entirely to civil disturbance planning and
operations.
more sophisticated, so did the Army's staff organization
for conducting civil disturbance operations from its Wash-
ington Headquarters. Within the span of a few years, the
Army moved from a special ad hoc group responding to
each incident, to a completely established directorate
devoted entirely to civil disturbance planning and
operations.
King assassination. The multiple disorders which fol-
lowed the assassination of the Rev. Dr, Martin Luther
King, Jr., emphasized the necessity for a Department of
Defense agency to centralize and direct the Department
of Defense functions required for the control of multiple
civil disturbances. Accordingly, in April 1968 the Direc-
torate of Civil Disturbance Planning and Operations
(later redesignated the Directorate of Military Support)
was established by the Secretary of Defense,
lowed the assassination of the Rev. Dr, Martin Luther
King, Jr., emphasized the necessity for a Department of
Defense agency to centralize and direct the Department
of Defense functions required for the control of multiple
civil disturbances. Accordingly, in April 1968 the Direc-
torate of Civil Disturbance Planning and Operations
(later redesignated the Directorate of Military Support)
was established by the Secretary of Defense,
Washington Spring Project, Watch Teams established as
a part of the new Directorate assumed around-the-clock
operations during the Washington Spring Project in 1968.
This was the period when thousands of people converged
upon Washington, D.C., and erected a temporary camp
known as Resurrection City. The stated purpose of the
Washington Spring Project demonstration was to bring
to the attention of Congress the plight of the poor people
of the nation. Thus the Directorate, conceived during
the crisis of the April riots, began operations during the
critical period of the Washington Spring Project,
a part of the new Directorate assumed around-the-clock
operations during the Washington Spring Project in 1968.
This was the period when thousands of people converged
upon Washington, D.C., and erected a temporary camp
known as Resurrection City. The stated purpose of the
Washington Spring Project demonstration was to bring
to the attention of Congress the plight of the poor people
of the nation. Thus the Directorate, conceived during
the crisis of the April riots, began operations during the
critical period of the Washington Spring Project,
1968 Democratic Convention, The threat of civil dis-
turbance continued in August 1968 with the opening of
turbance continued in August 1968 with the opening of
the control capabilities of local and State authorities. The
first major incident of this type had occurred in October
1967 when, as mentioned previously, a largo crowd of anti-
war protesters assembled at the Pentagon. On (hat oc-
casion, Federal troops were employed at the Pentagon
to protect Federal property and to prevent disruption of
Department of Defense functions.
first major incident of this type had occurred in October
1967 when, as mentioned previously, a largo crowd of anti-
war protesters assembled at the Pentagon. On (hat oc-
casion, Federal troops were employed at the Pentagon
to protect Federal property and to prevent disruption of
Department of Defense functions.
As a precaution against the possibility of civil disturb-
ance growing out of antiwar demonstrations, Federal
forces were strategically deployed on four occasions dur-
ing FY 1970.
ance growing out of antiwar demonstrations, Federal
forces were strategically deployed on four occasions dur-
ing FY 1970.
Although National Guard troops were called on 101
occasions to control incipient or actiuil civil disorders in
FY 1970, there were no incidents which required actual
employment of Federal troops to restore order.
occasions to control incipient or actiuil civil disorders in
FY 1970, there were no incidents which required actual
employment of Federal troops to restore order.
Though public disorder was frequent, it decreased in
intensity from the high water mark of April I960. Con-
sequently, the number of metropolitan areas designated as
likely to experience disorder of sucli magnitude as to re-
quire Federal assistance was substantially reduced. A cor-
responding reduction was made in the mimbttr of active
Army and Army Reserve units required to 1)0 trained and
maintained in readiness for civil disturbance operations.
intensity from the high water mark of April I960. Con-
sequently, the number of metropolitan areas designated as
likely to experience disorder of sucli magnitude as to re-
quire Federal assistance was substantially reduced. A cor-
responding reduction was made in the mimbttr of active
Army and Army Reserve units required to 1)0 trained and
maintained in readiness for civil disturbance operations.
Antiwar moratoriums. The first FY 1970 deployment of
Federal troops resulted from the Moratorium against
the Vietnam War, which was scheduled for October 12,
1969. A number of antiwar organ IK at ions throughout the
United States pledged their support and Kttitet! their in-
tentions to disrupt activities at several military installa-
tions. To protect installations faced with the greatest
threat of disorder, small contingents of military troops
were deployed to Fort Dix, N.J.; Rock Island Arsenal, III.;
Carlisle Barracks, Pa,; Boston Army Base, Mass.; and Fort
Hamilton, N.Y. Violent disruptions occurred only at Fort
Dix, and these were quickly contained by local and
military police.
Federal troops resulted from the Moratorium against
the Vietnam War, which was scheduled for October 12,
1969. A number of antiwar organ IK at ions throughout the
United States pledged their support and Kttitet! their in-
tentions to disrupt activities at several military installa-
tions. To protect installations faced with the greatest
threat of disorder, small contingents of military troops
were deployed to Fort Dix, N.J.; Rock Island Arsenal, III.;
Carlisle Barracks, Pa,; Boston Army Base, Mass.; and Fort
Hamilton, N.Y. Violent disruptions occurred only at Fort
Dix, and these were quickly contained by local and
military police.
During the period November 13-15, 1969, extensive
Moratorium activities took place at Washington, D.C.,
and other cities across the country, notably San Francisco,
Calif. Though events were monitored by Depart incut of
the Army personnel in San Francisco, only in the National
Capital were Federal troops actually deployed. There,
more than 11,000 troops wore propositioned in anticipa-
tion of possible disorder, These units were carefully con-
trolled and their mission strictly defined by the Directorate
of Civil Disturbance Planning and Operations. Sub-
sequent to the Moratorium, two major incidents of vio-
lence were successfully brought under control by local law
enforcement personnel.
Moratorium activities took place at Washington, D.C.,
and other cities across the country, notably San Francisco,
Calif. Though events were monitored by Depart incut of
the Army personnel in San Francisco, only in the National
Capital were Federal troops actually deployed. There,
more than 11,000 troops wore propositioned in anticipa-
tion of possible disorder, These units were carefully con-
trolled and their mission strictly defined by the Directorate
of Civil Disturbance Planning and Operations. Sub-
sequent to the Moratorium, two major incidents of vio-
lence were successfully brought under control by local law
enforcement personnel.
Black Panther protests. The murder trial of several mem-
bers of the Black Panther Party in New Haven, Conn.,
provided the basis in May 1970 for a large-scale protest
by students and others, raising the imminent prospect of
violence. The Governor of Connecticut requested that
Federal forces be propositioned near the scene of the
demonstration. In response to this request, the President
bers of the Black Panther Party in New Haven, Conn.,
provided the basis in May 1970 for a large-scale protest
by students and others, raising the imminent prospect of
violence. The Governor of Connecticut requested that
Federal forces be propositioned near the scene of the
demonstration. In response to this request, the President
the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Many
statements from dissident groups indicated determined
activities to disrupt the proceedings of the convention,
peal, State, and Federal'agencies therefore made exten^
je preparations. Joint planning conferences were held
statements from dissident groups indicated determined
activities to disrupt the proceedings of the convention,
peal, State, and Federal'agencies therefore made exten^
je preparations. Joint planning conferences were held
320